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Which of the three area teams, Clintwood, Gate City, or Richlands has the best chance to bring home the State Championship? Someone should set up a poll. To my way of thinking, Clintwood has the best chance followed by Richlands and Gate City respectively.
I would love to see all three win. I think Clintwood has the best shot.
I'm not sure what kind of team Richlands is facing, but given that they won it last year, I'd put them at one. I put Clintwood at two by default because GC has got what might be the best team in the state next week in any classification. I hope the Devils win and I'll be pulling like hell for them, but they're gonna have their hands full.
I'd think Richlands has the best shot
Richlands
Clintwood
Gate City
I'm certainly not saying Gate City will win, but I don't count them out either. I remember GC's 5-5 regular season team from 1994 who made it all the way to the state final to play the "unstoppable" John Handley Judges--who were then said to be next to NFL quality, and Gate City nearly won that game. They did lose (12-7), but they played hard and gave Handley all they could stand. Then Gate City's 5-5 record was deceptive because they played a tough schedule (Graham, PV, Appy, etc...), and it served them well. Likewise, I think GC's tough schedule and playing the likes of Richlands, Powell Valley, Leb, and now George Wythe, certainly helps them. GC may go down, but then again they may not. I've seen the Devils win too many times when they were counted out, so I believe in them. Win or lose, they've done a great job representing the school and Southwest Virginia this year. Hats off to them!
Valid point triodevil.
I picked Richlands first because they have been there, which can't be underestimated. I'd probably pick Clintwood second but only because all year I've heard how Gretna was unstoppable. I'm probably falling victim to the hype. Gate City's coaches have been there before as well, so that definitely helps them. It's probably more of 1)Richlands 2a)Clintwood 2b)Gate City
It's a valid point but do you realize who Gretna has played? Gretna has played a AAA school out of NC, William Campbell, and Goochland (the defending and undefeated to that point state champs). It's not like Gretna is playing the deaf and blind, honest to God I'll be shocked if this one doesn't turn into PV/Giles 06. GC's best chance is to somehow rattle the freshman QB from Gretna imo.
Was readin the list of who Gretna played. I wonder if on some board somewhere someone has posted about Clintwood playing a Tn team and getting slaughtered.
clintwood
IMO, (which means nothing) Gretna is the best team in the first 3 Divisions D1-D3. I'm not as nuts as some of those people on VA Preps who believe they could play with Amherst.
If the games are close and the VHSL has their way about it, no region D teams will win. That's doubly so for a LPD team.
Gretna did not play a AAA North Carolina school. They played a 4AA North Carolina school. The school was Davie County high school, with an enrollment of just under 1900 students in four grades. The reason I know this is because I was there.
I now live in Davie county and a buch of co-workers (all Davie natives) and myself met at the game. I guess they thought since this was a small single A school from Virginia then it was a sure win for them. They tried to give me a hard time during the game but I got to walk out the gate afterwards with a big smile on my face.
1. Clintwood
2. Richlands
3. Gate City
4. Tiny Tim's mighty Detroit Lions
I for one am not counting GC out. These kids have beaten the odds every week. I remember all the talk about how it was between PV and Leb. Then there was no way GC could beat PV. Then GW. If you have Tyler Parks on your side you have a chance.
This kid has the biggest heart of any kid I have ever seen play at GC. He deserves a ring. I hope he gets his Saturday.
GCs fortunes got better as their O-line got better IMO..
I couldn't remember if it was AAA or AAAA. Fact of the matter is GC needs a miracle to win this one, anybody who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. However, miracles do happen.
IMO ball control and tough D slays giants...
Agreed, I just dont think they can control the clock. People talk about Tyler Parks and while I agree he is one of the best running backs in Region D he's not DJ Coles. We all seen what Gretna did to Coles. Gretna will be the best team GC's faced all year (including Richlands) they will have to line up behind Jones and get 3 yards a pop and pray. GC must play a perfect game to return with the trophy. Are you going up there?
Guys, I don't care who you areand how good you are, if you lay the ball on the ground, you can get beat. That's why they play the game.
I hope to go up there. But, I still think GC has a chance...I've seen the same thing too many times before.
those incredible unbeatable teams seem to fall to teams that shouldnt be able to beat them a good example is LSU and Oklahoma about 3 weeks into this season both looked great and fell I hope GC can get it done but they have a giant to face better sharpen their swords
I'm not trying to take anything away from Gretna, but just looking at their schedule and who they have played isn't really that impressive. Played 6 teams with winning records (includeing play offs) and their opponents record is 57-63 (includeing play offs). The impressive win they did have was against Goochland I guess (im not a expert from region B or A) and at half time they were up 12-7 and let loose the second half. Against King William I think I heard they had 3 TO's deep in the red zone. Again not takeing anything away from them, that is their schedule and they took care of bussiness by beating the immortal crap out of everyone they have played up to now.
They've played three teams better than anyone GC has played in WC, Goochland, and that NC School (David Co or something) the name is escaping me.
They all have a chance, they made it to the big show. Of course making it and winning it are two different animals. Good luck all three!
Maybe so...but Saturday could be a day when Gretna takes GC lightly and doesn't come in fired up....or maybe GC does the SWVA thing and plays twice as well as they have all season vs. a more skilled opponent...and then it could be that Gretna hasn't been hit like they'll get hit Saturday...or maybe Gretna loses a stud player they rely on to injury...or maybe GC shows everyone that Gretna isn't as good as advertised...we'll not know until Saturday...but I'll go with GC having a shot.